In This Issue:

Season's Greetings!

Presents to be finished and wrapped, lists to check twice, cookies to bake. Not much time for any stitching. But if you're in need of something quick to whip together, we have...

Fast, Fun and Free Projects for a Festive Christmas

Brimming with the holiday spirit, several designers have offered free patterns and project instructions for your pleasure. They are listed below with links to the instructions that open in a new window.

Free pattern by Linda Lum DeBono

This first project is by Linda Lum DeBono.

She is a renaissance kind of gal who creates designs for quilting, knitwear, fabric and scrapbooking.

For directions for this adorable Christmas Stocking, visit her blog dzyning things and then scroll down the page until you see the stocking pictured to the right.

Now, what about all those scrumptious Christmas quilt blocks we make? Too cute to pass up, but no time to make enough for a whole quilt.

Debbie Grifka, of Esch House Quilts shows us how to make a hot pad to fit a 9" x 13" pan. I don't know about you, but during the holidays, I never have enough hot pads when I serve dinner to a crowd. Why not use some of those adorable, but unused blocks for this project?

And while you're there, check out all the other fun things she's got!

As part of her 2010 Block of the Month pattern series, "Words of Inspiration & Celebration!", Benita Skinner of Victoriana Quilt Designs has
instructions for a 'Noel' banner available for download on her website, Victoriana Quilt Designs. If you haven't visited her site before, it is jam packed with free goodies for download.

Handprint Potholdersby Quilting and Sewing with Kids

Are your kids home for Christmas break?

Do you need something to keep them busy?

Crystal from Quilting and Sewing with Kids has the cutest handprint potholders. They make perfect gifts for Grandma and Grandpa because they're made with love!

Now don't let the "Broderie Perse" part scare you! That just means let the fabric do the work!

Perfect for your own table or for your hostess!

3 Seam Holiday Pillow Caseby Marcella Peek

Unexpected guests?

Nothing says, "You're welcome here!" like their very own pillow case.

Why not whip a few up. Put a dent in that Christmas fabric stash. (You know you won't be able to resist those after-Christmas sales!) Marcella Peek from 'Short Attention Span Girl' has instructions for a 3 seam pillow case on her blog. Go to the bottom of her post for printable instructions from a PDF file.!

Now since this is applique, it'll take a bit more time. But the results will become a family treasure, just like the one Cheryl's mom made for the, then fiancee, of her favorite grandson! (Yes! They're married now.)

Quick to make! Great for giving! While you're there, do check out her tutorials for applique!

To all of the designers, who so graciously provided these projects with instructions for you, I wish a most 'Merry Christmas!'

Enjoy!

Give Your Cutting Mat the Spa Treatment

Did you know that OLFA Cutting Mats love moisture?

Yep! It's true!

Charlie Haney, of OLFA Deals, told me that you should soak your mat periodically to extend the life of your self-healing cutting mat.

To soak it, place the cutting mat in a bathtub or large container. The mat needs to lay flat. Soak it for 15 to 20 minutes in a solution of 1/4 c. white vinegar per gallon of cool water. Heavy emphasis on COOL. (Remember, cutting mats don't do well with heat.)

To clean out the bits of fuzz and lint that accumulate and keep your mat from 'healing', use just a squirt of a mild dish detergent (like Ivory) and gently clean the mat with a mushroom brush. A mushroom brush has very soft bristles. We don't want to scratch the mat.

Dry with a clean, soft towel.

That's it. And it will help extend the useful like of your cutting mat.

What's New on the Website

While there are lots of guilds and stores listed, these directories can only be a success with your help.

If you belong to a guild, is it listed? If not, why not add the listing yourself? It's good publicity for your guild and upcoming quilt shows. You are free to put as much or as little information on the page. It's up to you.

If you are a store owner, or if I've omitted your favorite quilt shop from our lists, please let me know. If you're a store owner, add a page about your store. It's easy! It's free! And it's another place to get the word out about your shop.

If we've made any mistakes, let us know that, too!

We have readers from over 100 countries every month, so wherever your guild or store is located, your listing most is welcome at Generations Quilt Patterns.

Again, your help ensures the success of these two sections on the website!

What's Coming for 2011

A new year brings a renewed vigor to everything and Generations Quilt Patterns is no exception!

This year, look for us to add free instructions for quilt blocks in various sizes. The goal is to have at least 100 different quilt block patterns listed by 2012.

Videos to help demonstrate techniques are slated, too.

Also starting in January is the hunt to find out just what marking tools are best for quilting. We've had a number of questions this year about removing quilt markings...after the quilt is quilted. Look for the beginning of our test in the January newsletter.

Several applique patterns are waiting to stitched, written and published for 2011. All will be announced on the website as they are available.

And finally, for those waiting to purchase our patterns online, the Store is finally near the top of the list for our website. It, too, will be announced once it happens.

STASH Talk Back!

This newsletter is for YOU. So your input is very important to us!

If you have comments, ideas or feedback, we'd love to hear from you. Suggestions for topics to cover or general questions. We're all ears. Please Contact Us and tell us what you think!